Introduction: The true incidence of urethral involvement in patients with genital lichen sclerosus (LS) is unknown. We review the epidemiology and discuss the pathogenesis of LS and urethral stricture diseases.Materials and Metohods: During the period 1991-2002, of 925 patients who underwent urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture, 130 patients (14%) received the diagnosis of LS. In all patients with LS the histology was re-examined to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Retrograde and voiding urethrography was used to establish urethral involvement in the disease.Results: In 106 patients (82%) the histology provided the classical features of LS, and 24 patients (18%) showed some histological variations. In 49 patients (37%) the LS involved the pendolous urethra (meatus-navicularis-penile), and in 53 cases (41%) a panurethral stricture was evident.Conlusions: LS urethral involvement appears to be a much more common and extensive disease than previously reported, and requires particular care in its early diagnosis.

Purpose: In this observational descriptive study we reviewed the histology and the clinical records of 130 patients with LS involving the male genitalia to determine the presence of premalignant or malignant lesions.Materials and Methods: A total of 130 male patients (from 1991 to 2001) with genital LS were treated at our centers. Mean patient age at diagnosis was 42.5 years. In all patients with a clinical diagnosis of LS, the histology was reexamined to look for evidence of LS, applying strict histological criteria. All cases of histologically proven epithelial malignancy, namely SCC, VC and EQ, were reviewed to confirm the presence of neoplastic changes and ascertain the degree of SCC differentiation.Results: Of 130 men 11 (8.4%) with genital LS showed premalignant or malignant histopathological features including 7 (64%) with SCC, 2 (18%) with VC, 1 (9%) with EQ and 1 (9%) with SCC associated with VC. In 6 of 11 patients (55%) the histological study showed the presence of epithelial dysplasia.Conclusions: Survival of patients with penile carcinoma depends on early diagnosis and treatment, and all patients with genital LS should be observed closely to detect the development of neoplastic or preneoplastic lesions as early as possibile.

Objectives: To describe the techniques and results of surgical reconstruction of glans penis lesions.Methods: Seventeen patients (mean age: 53.2 yr) were treated by resurfacing or reconstruction of the glans penis for benign, premalignant and malignant penile lesions. The aetiology of the lesions was one Zoon’s balanitis, four lichen sclerosus, one carcinoma in situ, five squamous cell carcinomas, and six squamous cell carcinomas associated with lichen sclerosus. Five cases were treated by glans skinning and resurfacing; five cases by glans amputation and reconstruction of the neoglans, and seven cases by partial penile amputation and reconstruction of the neoglans. Glans resurfacing and reconstruction were performed with the use of a skin graft harvested from the thigh.Results: The mean follow-up was 32 mo. All patients were free of local premalignant/malignant recurrence. Patients who underwent glans resurfacing reported glandular sensory restoration and complete sexual ability. Patients who underwent glansectomy or partial penectomy with neoglans reconstruction maintained sexual function and activity, although sensitivity was reduced as a consequence of glans/penile amputation.Conclusions: In selected cases of benign, premalignant or malignant penile lesions, glans resurfacing or reconstruction can ensure a normal appearing and functional penis, without jeopardizing cancer control.